thehockeyguru wrote:Don't get me wrong, WVU has a very good football and basketball program but do they really add value to the SEC?

I can't answer that. But I've seen their name mentioned numerous times as the 14th member of the SEC to go with A&M.

They do have a recognizable brand, and a good program overall. They have had success, and people will tune in to watch them.

Nothing is as black and white as it seems. I know the Pac 12 would have had an increase in their TV deal this past year, but who would have thought the addition of Utah and CU would have made them the richest conference in the country with regards to tier 1 TV.

WVU may not be the SECs first choice. But I think they want to add someone that would fit in the east, instead of moving teams that are currently in the SEC West. Many ACC teams are out as the SEC voted 6-5 "no" to expand within their footprint, so that knocks out FSU, Clemson, etc. And I think with that, teams like VT, UNC, etc are going to stick with the ACC IMO. So WVU may be backing in, but they are on the list, according to most reports/"rumors" I have read.

Pitt makes more sense that WVU especially since geography is no longer a factor in aligning conferences. I bought Pitt season tickets this season so that I can eventually have decent seats for when PSU plays this decade. But I also had in the back of my mind that it would be nice to have them in case the BE blows up and Pitt gets a call from the ACC/SEC.

newarenanow wrote:Many ACC teams are out as the SEC voted 6-5 "no" to expand within their footprint, so that knocks out FSU, Clemson, etc.

I wouldn't put to much stock in that "vote"

Why?

First, the SEC hasn't admitted that there *was* a vote. (and they're normally pretty good at releasing 'pressers'). Secondly (or SECondly ), the SEC has a long history of talking out both sides of their mouth.

Clemson is a great fit, and the Gamecocks aren't exactly the darlings of the conference brass (sorry Mrs. admin)

thehockeyguru wrote:Pitt makes more sense that WVU especially since geography is no longer a factor in aligning conferences. I bought Pitt season tickets this season so that I can eventually have decent seats for when PSU plays this decade. But I also had in the back of my mind that it would be nice to have them in case the BE blows up and Pitt gets a call from the ACC/SEC.

Pitt doesn't travel.

No one wants a team that won't travel.

Especially the ACC. They already learned that lesson with B.C. And Miami.

thehockeyguru wrote:Pitt makes more sense that WVU especially since geography is no longer a factor in aligning conferences. I bought Pitt season tickets this season so that I can eventually have decent seats for when PSU plays this decade. But I also had in the back of my mind that it would be nice to have them in case the BE blows up and Pitt gets a call from the ACC/SEC.

WVU makes way more sense if you are looking at the SEC. Pitt is not an "SEC type" school.

ACC, I think Pitt makes more sense overall, but WVU is more of a FB brand, and if the ACC needs to make a move to replace a football centric type school if they lose Clemson or FSU, then it will be a FB move regardless of the academic profile, and WVU would probably get the nod.

That is just my opinion and from what I've been reading on messageboards and newsarticles (I know you can't trust either, it is all just "heresay" and opinion), WVU seems like the likely candidate.

jimjom wrote:In that event (WVU moves to SEC) I could see the ACC expanding by taking Pitt and UConn. They'd be a natural rival for BC, and would expand the ACC into the NYC metro area. Just a thought.

I don't see the ACC expanding past 12, especially if they don't lose a team, unless a network or someone comes up to them and says that they'd be willing to offer a ton of money for them to do so.

The ACC seems happy at 12, and probably wouldn't go past that unless a) they lose a team or 2 and feel they need to go bigger to protect themselves or b) the other 3 "power" conferences, the Big 10, SEC, and Pac 12 all do so. As of right now, it seems like the SEC is the only one that has plans to do so.

I agree with that. The ACC won't go over 12 teams, but I do think that when A&M is added to the SEC an ACC team will come along for the ride. That opens the door for Pitt to the ACC, which they should jump all over.

WVU has no chance of any other conference because of their academics, but they would be a good fit for SEC

Pitt won't go to B10 because of PSU, so they have a chance at ACC but really Pitt's fan support definitely has to hold them back. I love Pitt, I know this is a pro-town but its kind of emberrasing when I go to games and see the attendance (I always wonder what a top recruit thinks after visiting somewhere like Beaver Stadium and then coming to Heinz Field).

Last edited by IanMoran on Mon Aug 22, 2011 11:55 am, edited 1 time in total.